Assad Vala, a veteran of 31 ODIs and 26 T20Is, will lead Papua New Guinea in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. As they make their first world tournament.

Assad Vala, the 34-year old mainstay of Papua New Guinea, will captain the team at their maiden ICC world tournament. PNG announced a 16-member squad for the T20 World Cup which starts next month. PNG are placed in Group B alongside Oman, Scotland, and Bangladesh, with two of the four moving through to the Super 12 stage of the competition. Their opening match takes place on October 17 against Oman.

Charles Amini, Assad Wala with 16 players nominated for the tournament

Charles Amini, Assad Vala with 16 players nominated for the tournament. And chose no reserve. Uncapped pacers Gaudi Toca and Kabua Waghi-Moriya have also been named in the squad along with Jack Gardner.

PNG has never qualified for a global tournament before but won five of their six matches at the T20 World Cup qualifier in 2019 co-hosted by the UAE and Oman, finishing behind the Netherlands, whom they lost to in the final. Charles Amini, who was the vice-captain at the tournament, has also been named in the squad. No reserve players have been named.

Assad’s PNG was one of the success stories of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier:

PNG was one of the success stories of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. Because they reached the final before finishing as runners-up behind the Netherlands.

PNG will take on Bangladesh, Scotland, and Oman in Group 2 before the Super 12 stage. They will play their matches in Oman on October 17, 19, and 21.

Squad: Assad Vala (Captain), Charles Amini, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Nosaina Pokana, Kiplin Doriga (WK), Tony Ura, Hiri Hiri, Gaudi Toka, Seuss Bau, Damien Ravu, Kabua Waghi-Moriya, Simon Atai, Jason Fort, Chad Soper, Jack Gardner

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